Southern California Wildfires Burn Homes, Force Evacuations

More than two dozen homes have been destroyed and thousands of residents were evacuated in the San Diego area, prompting Governor Brown to declare a State of Emergency in San Diego County Wednesday night.

Nearly 10,000 acres have burned across San Diego County, officials said Wednesday night.

On Wednesday flames also shot up along canyon ridges in Carlsbad, a small city about 30 miles north of San Diego, where homes and businesses have been evacuated.

Carlsbad Mayor Matt Hall says that while he doesn't have evidence, he believes that some of the fires in the region may have been set on purpose.

"I question whether or not six fires haven't been set by somebody. That's just my thought, but I've never seen anything like this in 20 years," Hall said, "I'm sure it can all be by chance, but I'll leave it up to the investigators. I just think there's too much of a coincidence here."

Authorities have lifted thousands of evacuation orders in the San Diego area, but residents remain on high alert as firefighters continue to battle hot spots in their backyards.

The fires first erupted Tuesday morning, fueled by soaring temperatures and canyons full of dry brush from months of drought.

Texas is also facing wildfire evacuations. Hundreds of people have been evacuated after a wildfire burned more than 90 homes.